The South Africa-based Nando’s, a restaurant chain trading heavily on the Portuguese-style, flame grilled chicken dish catching fire in the Washington region, wants to open their latest location on King Street. Company representatives have filed for a permit for the site of the former Popeyes fast-food restaurant.

Founded by two friends who stumbled across the cuisine south of Johannesburg in the 1980s, the chain has establishments in Europe, the Middle East and Australia. It set up shop in the Washington area in 2008.

Nando’s has six other locations in the Washington area, including eateries in Silver Spring, National Harbor, Bethesda, Gaithersburg and two in the District. The proposed Alexandria restaurant would offer 144 seats and anticipates serving mostly pedestrians, office workers and city residents.

The request goes before the planning commission for approval in March.